Problems with focus for Portrait

[John Young]

I am wondering what is the best focusing method to use on a portrait to keep two subjects (one behind the other) in focus

Or does it not matter and just use a small aperture (F16 for example) to keep them both focused

I was worried about to small an aperture as I wanted the background out of focus

 

[david1701]

it should get better with bigger numbers.....

what mode is the camera in (I'm working on the noob assumption so if you're way beyond that apologies)

 

[John Young]

it should get better with bigger numbers.....

what mode is the camera in (I'm working on the noob assumption so if you're way beyond that apologies)

*LOL* No don't appoligise I am not a noob BUT its certainly a noob question

I think I have a setting wrong to be honest

I am in aperture priority mode with single point focus which I think is the problem. I am usually use single point focus for portraits but it this case one subject was behind the other (a few inches) so one was in focus one was out.

So do I need a different focus mode or just alter the depth of field (F11 or similar) the thing is I still want to throw the background out of focus so I am not keen on having to small an aperture (f11 or similar) :shrug:

 

[John Young]

Its OK I think I have sorted it.

I will keep using center point focusing and just use the aperture as normal to alter depth of field as normal

It was the focus mode that was confusing me....

 

[HoppyUK]

If you want shallow depth of field and also all important parts of the subject sharp, then they need to be at exactly the same distance.

Check your DoF here. It's probably less than you think www.dofmaster.com

 

[Flash In The Pan]

John, it would probably be better if you could restore the original post, it would help others in the future who may have a similar query

 

[John Young]

If you want shallow depth of field and also all important parts of the subject sharp, then they need to be at exactly the same distance.

Check your DoF here. It's probably less than you think www.dofmaster.com

Thanks for that and I appreciate the link. Some reading to do. Been photographing for nearly 30 years and still sometimes get caught out by the basics :nuts::bonk:

John, it would probably be better if you could restore the original post, it would help others in the future who may have a similar query

OK I have done, sorry about that